And, he's done it twice. Kiplinger poured his craft beer into the NHL's championship trophy, the Stanley Cup, and took a big drink — a tradition usually reserved for winners — or their family and friends.

After Thomas, 37, took the Cup around Davison, Kiplinger and Vernier attended an evening gathering of friends and family at a softball field where the Stanley Cup was present. Kiplinger brought two growlers — 64-ounce glass containers — of his India Pale Ale from the downtown Kalamazoo brewpub.

Kiplinger said he poured half the growler into the Cup. Kiplinger said Thomas asked if he could keep the rest of the beer in the growler. Kiplinger said he could keep it. Thomas also signed the other growler, Kiplinger said.

"I'm definitely in a small group of people in the world that have had the honor to do that," Kiplinger said of drinking from the Cup for a second time.